A Note from Rev. Alison: Safe at Home

[Rev Alison Mock]

Dear YKUC Friends:

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all your prayers over the past week. I'm writing to let you know that my parents and I are safely back in Mississauga, and recovering well.

For those who haven't heard through the grapevine: last Monday, while at sea on the Norwegian Star off the coast of Brazil, my 78-year-old father became very ill and had a bad fall. He was taken to the ship's hospital and diagnosed with pneumonia. We received excellent care on board, but it became clear that we would need to disembark and cut our vacation short. After docking, we spent Tuesday seeking further care in a hospital in Salvador de Bahia, and Wednesday making the long journey home. He is on the mend, and we are all catching up on sleep. It was a terrible, stressful, frightening few days. As most of you know, my mother cannot be left alone, and travelling with her was quite a bit of work even before my dad became ill. Having them both under my care, complicated by language barriers and the heat of Brazilian summer, so far from home... I'm grateful that things were resolved as quickly as they were. There's paperwork and insurance claims and more work ahead in terms of my mom's continued care, but for now, we are very happy to be home! 

I miss you all very much. Yesterday, I worshipped at Christ First United Church in Clarkson, Mississauga. I know the minister there from divinity school, and a few folks from our old church in Port Credit now worship there, post-amalgamation. Rev. Heather Weaver-Orosz did a beautiful job talking about the persistence of hope in the wilderness, which is exactly the message I needed. I hear you have had two good Sundays under the leadership of Dawn McInnes and Karen Wilford. Janice Daly will steer the ship this week, and you're in good hands! 

I hope to be a little more present to you this week as I reconnect with life at home. Please feel welcome to be in touch by text, phone, or email.  For now, here's a photograph of my mom and me at Christ the Redeemer in Rio, as well as a photo of the same statue from our hotel (doesn't it look heavenly?)

Thinking of you! 

Cheers 

Alison